Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung approves a strategy to develop public transport from now until 2020. The project is to ease traffic congestion and reduce accidents as well as environmental pollution in cities and provinces across the country.

Buses in HCMC, which is required to overhaul its bus network, according to a national strategy to develop public transport from now until 2020, Photo: Tuoi Tre

In the near future, Hanoi and HCM City will be required to overhaul their bus networks, with an emphasis on linking city centres with both suburban districts, making it much easier for people to travel. It will be drawn up in line with a series of new express bus services and include building new urban railways and metro lines.

The strategy also encourages more investment in eco-friendly buses and those accessible to the disabled.

The authorities will also raise the public’s awareness of the benefits of using public transport, such as monthly passes at preferential prices for students and commuters and free services for the elderly.

They are also being asked to conduct information campaigns to raise the sense of responsibility and professional behavior amongst bus drivers and conductors.